Sen. Rob Portman and the heart of gay marriage

I disagree with the notion that Sen. Rob Portman’s change of heart on gay marriage cannot be respected because it comes as a result of a personal event in his family, and instead decisions regarding things like gay marriage should come only after one has “thoroughly examined the issue, considered the good or harm to all society, then formed and expressed a stand.”

Because when it comes right down to it, this is, at its root, an issue of love. It is an issue of the heart, not the head. It is one that cannot be thought through. One that cannot truly be “thoroughly examined.” One that is almost always, and often best, driven by the heart.

Rob Portman learned this when he looked into his son’s eyes and was faced with a choice of rejecting someone he loves, and who loves him — or not. And not infrequently, that is the only way to learn this lesson.

S. Bruce Harthoorn, Denver

This letter was published in the March 21 edition.

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